LMC Nurse Angie Fontana (left) receives a proclamation at the S.C. State House declaring May Osteoporosis Month

Lexington Medical Center nurse Angie Fontana (seen on the left in the above photo) received a proclamation at the South Carolina State House on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. that declared May “Osteoporosis Month.”

The proclamation came about as a result of Fontana’s volunteer work at the State House to raise awareness about osteoporosis. Fontana, an ER nurse who is also an experienced osteoporosis educator and orthopaedic nurse practitioner, has volunteered four hours each week at the State House since March to scan people for osteoporosis using a heel scan machine. She conducts the scans in the State House lobby. So far, she has scanned more than 400 people.

“Osteoporosis is a silent disease and we need to have awareness for prevention, detection and treatment,” Fontana said. “The debilitating effects of osteoporosis can include increase in fracture risk, weakness, interruption in activities of daily living, physical immobility and pain.”

Here are some facts about Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis is a bone disorder in which compromised bone strength increases fracture risk.

755,000 people in South Carolina are projected to have osteoporosis or low bone mass by 2010.

Consequences of osteoporosis include fractures which can lead to disability, impairment of daily activities, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, depression and pain.

Osteoporosis is highly manageable, but often remains undiagnosed and untreated until a bone breaks. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevention.
(Source: Alliance for Better Bone Health)

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